Assateague Island Waterfowl Weekend 2015!

October 5th, 2015 by Corey A. Edwards

Assateague Island Waterfowl Weekend – scheduled for November 26th through the 29th – is a celebration of the thousands of different species of birds that visit Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge during their annual fall migration, an event whose peak occurs every year around this time.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on beautiful Assateague Island – home of the famous wild ponies – is always good for a visit. With more than 14,000 acres of beaches, maritime forest, saltwater marshes, and freshwater marshes, enjoying nature and wildlife, getting a peep at the wild horse herds, or just soaking up the quiet and solitude here is as simple as arriving.

During the Assateague Island Waterfowl Weekend, however, your chances of seeing a wide range of migratory waterfowl are increased by several degrees. Part of the Great Atlantic Flyway, Assateague Island’s location makes it the perfect rest-stop for southbound waterfowl. Herons, snowy egrets, brant geese, double-crested cormorants, snow geese, tundra swans, mute swans, and more use Assateague Island as a safe, clean place to stop, rest, and feed during their long journey.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge celebrates this wonderful, natural phenomenon with Assateague Island Waterfowl Weekend: a number of special events and programs designed to educate, entertain, and excite attendees with arts, crafts, workshops, special drives through the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, and more. Best of all, special guided tours through the refuge will take you down trails that are normally closed to the public!

The 29th Annual Deborah Waterfowl Show/Auction (Nov 27 and 28, 1pm to 6pm at the Chincoteague Combined School) coincides with the Assateague Island Waterfowl Weekend, with over 100 exhibitors displaying their beautiful, waterfowl-related creations. Meet and talk with the artists as well as buy their works – refreshments will be available, too!